Wild Promises (The Wilde Brothers #4)

Chapter 13

13

XANDER

L ast night, I'd spent some time cleaning my office so it looked like someone worked there. I set my laptop on the newly dusted desk and sent an email to Eli and Oliver outlining what I'd done with the trail and asking if we should advertise it to the public.

I'd wanted to keep the lit trail to myself. I didn't want to share it with people beyond the ones closest to me. Logically, I knew others would happen upon it. But I wasn't ready to share it with the world. But if that's what everyone wanted, then I'd do it. It would appeal to those who weren't into downhill skiing. It would be the perfect date-night trail.

I felt weird about sending the email, but it was what Oliver wanted, and if it would help me prove that I could be business minded, then so be it. There was just the little issue of when I admitted I wasn't business minded like Eli and Oliver.

I'd listened to enough of the business podcasts to learn that nothing said on it excited me. It didn't light me up like when I was on the slopes, talking to guests, teaching them how to ski.

I couldn't sleep, so I got up early, showered, and made coffee. I needed about three cups today to get through my lessons. I would be dragging. I hated that Eli and Oliver had me twisted up inside.

I was just pouring the coffee when Tori's bedroom door opened.

“Are you working today?” I asked her to take my mind off my issues at work.

She poured a cup of coffee. "I've been taking over the sick appointments. I like being able to be there for people, knowing that they can come to us instead of an urgent care center."

She was a good doctor, and she deserved her father's practice. "The potential buyers start visiting this week?"

Tori nodded tightly as she moved around the kitchen, throwing bread in the toaster.

I poured another mug for me, and then grabbed eggs from the fridge. "Why don't I stop by for lunch? We should be seen together. That way, your dad knows about us." I broke the eggs into a bowl and whisked them with a fork.

Relief flooded her eyes. "Good idea."

Had she doubted that I'd follow through with our plan? Did no one take me seriously? My chest tightened. "I'll be the perfect boyfriend."

Tori smiled. "I can't wait to experience that."

I poured the eggs into the pan. Neither of us had time for anything elaborate, but I could whip up some scrambled eggs with cheese. "I haven't had much of a chance to show off my skills."

"I'm happy to be your guinea pig."

"Maybe this will be good for me too. I'll get some boyfriend experience."

Her smile faltered. "Hopefully, your brothers see that you're serious about me and the resort and let you keep your job."

This arrangement was always supposed to be fake. Had she been hoping for something more? "I'll talk to a few realtors today, narrow down which one I want to work with. If I can prove to my brothers I'm committed to you and about buying a house, they have to take me seriously."

Tori approached me where I stood next to the stove. She wrapped her arms around my waist, and I swear my heart stopped. I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into my chest. Who knew hugs could feel this good?

When she pulled back, she said, "If your brothers don't see how amazing you are, then they're idiots."

I chuckled without any humor. "They see what I've always wanted everyone to see. I just didn't think it would ever come back to bite me in the ass."

She gave me a pointed look. "I see who you are, and they will too."

It warmed my heart that Tori saw me as someone worthwhile, but I was fairly positive she was the only one. "Operation fake relationship is on for the week. Oh, when I was in the office, I checked the resort calendar. There's a winter ball hosted by my family this Saturday. Would you go as my date? It would be the perfect opportunity to show off."

"I wonder if my parents are going too."

"I don't go to most of those, and if I do, I only make an appearance." I wondered what they would make of me working more in the office, and my email about the lights. What else could I do to show them I was responsible and business minded?

"You shouldn't have to prove yourself to your family."

I gave her a pointed look. "I could say the same to you."

"I let my father down. I made a promise I didn't keep."

"You were young. There's nothing wrong with exploring a little before you figure out what you want." The only difference was that I'd always known I'd wanted to work on my family's resort.

"I have to do this."

"I get that," I said to reassure her. I hated that either of us had to go through this. But if it meant spending more time with her, pretending to be her boyfriend, I was all for it.

We ate quickly, then went our separate ways. I checked in at the office instead of heading immediately outside. It meant I was at work even earlier, despite working late. I made sure to poke my head into Eli's office.

He did a double take when he saw me. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to check in before I go to my first lesson for the day. You get my email?"

Eli's gaze flicked back to his computer screen. "Came in at ten o'clock. Were you really here last night working?"

"I thought I'd clean out my office and use it. It's so much easier to discuss business in the office, don't you think?"

Eli blinked as if he couldn't trust his eyes. "Right."

I slapped the door frame. "I'm going to check the schedule and read my emails before I head out. If you need anything, call me. I'll have my phone on."

"I appreciate you being here more often," Eli managed to say, and just as I was turning to leave, he said, "Don't forget we have the ball this weekend."

I grinned. "I just asked Tori to go as my date. It's going to be great."

"It's serious, then?"

I sobered. "I've always been serious about Tori. I'm not going to do anything to mess things up now that I have my chance with her. But I got to get to work. I'm meeting her for lunch, and I need to talk to a few realtors today."

"You're serious about moving?" Eli asked, his voice incredulous.

"I can't live in an apartment the rest of my life. I want some space, property to roam. I've always wanted to get a dog."

Eli's eyes widened. "You don't want to build on the property here?"

All I could think about was how would I live on the property if I couldn't work here? "That doesn't seem right, but thanks for the offer."

Eli winced. "We never meant to insinuate that you aren't welcome here?—"

"I've always wanted to work here, so what you and Oliver said threw me off a bit. But I'm refocusing on what's important. Let me get to work. Talk to you later."

"Right," Eli said as I walked out of his office and into the hallway.

That went as well as it could have. I showed that I'm working longer hours and I'm committed to the resort. I just needed to stick with the plan. I'd synced my calendar on my phone so I wouldn't miss anything important. I couldn't just focus on lessons and the outdoor activities anymore. I had to grow up and be present for all aspects of the business.

It didn't matter that my soul died a little every minute I was stuck in that tiny office. I still got to work the greatest job of all outside in the snow. It was perfect most of the time. I could get through this. I just needed to be more focused and disciplined. I wasn't known for those qualities, but I was positive there was a disciplined Xander somewhere inside me, just waiting to come out.

Decorations were starting to go up inside the lodge, making me think of Christmas even though it wasn't even Thanksgiving. A woman stood next to a large tree, hanging ornaments.

The teenager with her came up to me. "Mr. Wilde, do you think I could do ski lessons?"

I glanced at my phone. "I have lessons starting at ten. You're welcome to join me."

The woman turned, and her cheeks flushed pink when she noticed the boy talking to me. "Christopher, don't bother Mr. Wilde. He's busy."

"He was just asking about lessons. They start in a few minutes. I heard that you're working at the resort now."

"I decorate spaces for the holidays. That kind of thing."

"That's great." Her mother had worked as a maid until she couldn't anymore. Last I'd heard, she was on disability. But Noelle had been here quite a bit when we were growing up. "This is my brother, Christopher. He has a doctor's appointment this morning. I just thought I'd come in and get some work done before."

"You could take weekend lessons," I offered.

Noelle shook her head. "Oh, no. We couldn't do that."

Noelle always had lessons and gear for free since her mom worked here. My mother used to say that it was a perk of her mother's job. But I wasn't so sure that's why it was offered. I got the impression Noelle didn't have much and wouldn't have been able to afford lessons or the gear on her own. Lift tickets themselves were crazy expensive.

I wondered if money was still tight, and if Noelle was taking care of her siblings because of her mom's health issues.

"Why don't you come by on Saturday, and I'll make sure gear is available for you," I said to him, hoping Noelle wouldn't say no.

Noelle placed her hand on Christopher's arm. "I told you we'd try for it next year."

I knew she wouldn't want charity, but I couldn't help but remind her of my parents' rules. "If you work here, then ski lessons and gear are free. Food is too. That's always been the rule. It's not charity. It's just the way our family does business."

Noelle's eyes widened. "But I'm not an employee. More like an independent contractor."

I waved a hand. "This is what my parents would have insisted on. You wouldn't want me to get in trouble, would you?"

"Of course not." Noelle inclined her head, nudging her brother. "That's very generous of you."

Christopher grinned. "Thank you, Mr. Wilde."

"No need to call me Mr. Wilde. That's my dad. I'm Xander." I showed him my name on my chest. "Besides, if you're half as good as your sister, then you'd be a great addition to the ski team."

"I've never skied before," Christopher said, and Noelle's forehead creased.

"It wasn't in the budget before," Noelle said softly.

"I'm glad you're here now. It's the perfect time to learn." I learned when I started walking, but anytime was good. "You should come out too, Noelle. It's been too long since I've seen you on the slopes." Her and Killian were tight when we were younger. They were in the same class and snowboarded for our school's team. When Noelle's mom couldn't work anymore and Killian started competing, we didn't see Noelle as much. I regret not following up with her family.

"I don't know that I'll have time. I have several businesses I'm juggling at the moment. But Christopher would love to learn. I really appreciate it," Noelle gushed.

I stretched my neck, a little uncomfortable with the praise. "How is your mother?"

"She's doing good. She's so positive about everything. She's an inspiration for the rest of us."

Christopher appeared sheepish at that comment.

I wondered if he was worried his family couldn't provide everything he needed and felt less than the other kids at school. I vowed to make an effort to connect with him during lessons. If I could help the Richards, then I would. They were like family to us. "I'm glad to hear it. Let me know if you need anything before lessons on Saturday."

Then I walked away, pleased I could help someone. I didn't care what Eli or Oliver said about me offering free gear and lessons to Christopher. The Richards family had always been close to us, and this is what my parents would have wanted if they still ran the place.

I wondered what happened between her and Killian. We used to tease them about spending so much time together, but Killian insisted they were just friends. It was easy to believe because back then, Noelle had been all about snowboarding. She wasn't into partying or boys. At one time, I thought she was hoping for a college scholarship, but then I never heard what happened with it. Since she'd been living here, taking care of her mother and younger siblings, I assume she never went.

The Richards family connection was one more thing I was going to fix. When you worked to improve your life, everything needed a tweak. But I was feeling good about these changes. I didn't like being in the office, but it wasn't the end of the world. Especially if it convinced Eli and Oliver I was all-in on the business.